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Hi All, I finished treatment in 2024 for hormone positive stage 1, grade 3 diagnosis. I had a lumpectomy, breast reduction, chemotherapy and

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
Dallas, TX

And radiation. On my recent mammo calcifications in linear patterns found. Biopsy next week trying not to panic. Has this happened to anyone else?

July 11
 · 
Reactions
A MyBCTeam Member

I can’t imagine how stressful this is!
Just a reminder, more biopsies are negative than positive.
Sending positive thoughts your way!

July 11
A MyBCTeam Member

Thank you. Thankful there are communities like this to connect with. It’s a journey only we can understand.

July 11
MyBCTeam

First of all, take a breath — it makes complete sense that you're feeling anxious, and you are absolutely not alone in this. Many MyBCTeam members have been right where you are, waiting for biopsy results after a callback mammogram and trying to hold it together.

The good news is that calcifications are actually very Show Full Answer

First of all, take a breath — it makes complete sense that you're feeling anxious, and you are absolutely not alone in this. Many MyBCTeam members have been right where you are, waiting for biopsy results after a callback mammogram and trying to hold it together.

The good news is that calcifications are actually very common after a lumpectomy and radiation, so finding them on your mammogram isn't automatically a red flag. Here's what's helpful to know about calcifications:

- They are tiny calcium deposits that show up as bright white specks on mammograms
- They don't cause pain and can't be felt
- They are often completely harmless and linked to benign changes in breast tissue
- Surgery and radiation actually make calcifications *more* likely to develop
- Most biopsies ordered because of calcifications come back negative for cancer

Linear patterns are something radiologists do look at carefully, which is why your care team has ordered a biopsy — and that's exactly the right next step. It's also worth knowing that false-positive biopsy rates for calcifications can be quite high, meaning calcifications can *look* concerning but turn out to be nothing. Your team is being thorough, and that's a good thing.

One MyBCTeam member shared that they really struggled with anxiety in the weeks before imaging results, saying they "just couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to be found." That feeling is so valid — and so common.

Hang in there. Reaching out and talking about it, like you're doing now, really does help. 💙

July 11
A MyBCTeam Member

Adding in my prayers for all good news, delivered quickly!! Hugs!

July 11

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